Abstract: An apparatus for evidencing an occurrence of a transaction is provided that includes a tamper indicating housing, a processing unit provided within the tamper indicating housing, and a cryptographic module also provided within the tamper indicating housing. The processing unit is adapted to: (i) determine current location information indicating a current location of the apparatus, (ii) obtain transaction information relating to the transaction, and (iii) compile a data block including at least the current location information and the transaction information. The cryptographic module is adapted to generate cryptographic evidence based on the data block. The processing unit may also be adapted to obtain current time information, and the data block may further include the current time information. The processing unit may also be adapted to obtain user authentication information, such as biometric information, and the data block may further include the user authentication information.

Abstract: A method of printing a document includes generating commands in a computing device that include: (i) commands for printing based on document data, and (ii) an identification of a determined portion of the document data that is to be used in generating a printed copy detection pattern. The method further includes sending the printer control commands to an intermediate electronic device that stores a key, generating copy detection pattern data using the determined portion of the document data and the cryptographic key, and generating modified printer control commands that include commands for printing a first document portion based on the document data and a second document portion including the printed copy detection pattern based on the copy detection pattern data. Finally, the modified printer control commands are sent to a printing device. Also, a system is provided for implementing the method.

Abstract: A printing system for printing both secure value documents and non-secure documents while ensuring that fraudulent copies of secure value documents printed by the printing system can be detected is provided. The printing system determines if the source is a secure or non-secure source. If the source of the image is a secure source, it will print the image, including any graphic security features. If the source is a non-secure source, before printing the image a filter is applied to the image data to remove any graphic security features included in the received image and/or the printing system will not add any graphic security features to the received image to ensure that the printed image will not contain any copy detection graphic security features.

Abstract: A method and system for securing the communication link between the accounting device and printer of a metering system by authenticating the data being sent via the link utilizing a Nonlinear Feedback Shift Register (NLFSR) based system is provided. A NLFSR is provided in each of the accounting unit and printing unit of a metering system. The NLFSR in the accounting unit is utilized to generate a message authentication code (MAC) for the image data being sent from the accounting unit to the printing unit. The printing unit generates a corresponding MAC for the received image data using the NLFSR in the printing unit. The MAC generated by the printing unit is compared with the MAC generated by the accounting unit. If the MACs are similar, the image data is accepted as authentic and the printing unit will print the image corresponding to the image data.

Abstract: A method of registering a scanning grid of a scanner with a printing grid of a printer that includes placing a predetermined motif in a digital image to create a modified image, printing the modified image using the printer to create a printed modified image, scanning the printed modified image using the scanner to create a scanned modified image that includes the motif, using the motif included in the scanned modified image to determine a rotation ? of the scanning grid of the scanner with respect to the printing grid of the printer, and using the motif included in the scanned modified image to determine a translation vector that gives a position of a node of the printing grid in a coordinate system of the scanning grid.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating an item by using a security marking. The security marking is provided on the item with an OVD ink capable of absorbing light in a visible wavelength range to appear visibly black and producing a red fluorescent emission under ultraviolet excitation. Under visible light illumination and ultraviolet excitation, a visible image and a fluorescent image are obtained from the security marking using image scanners. The images are compared to find a substantial match with each other. The security marking can be a postage indicium, a barcode, a symbol, a message or an image. The item to be authenticated can be a mailpiece, a banknote, a tag, a ticket, a document, an identification card, or the like.

Abstract: A method includes scanning a page of a paper document to generate a first digital page image. The method further includes obtaining a second digital page image which corresponds to a second page. The method also includes comparing the first digital page image pixel-by-pixel with the second digital page image to generate a score that indicates a degree to which the first digital page image differs from the second digital page image.

Abstract: A method, system and article for producing an envelope having improved seal integrity. A method includes the steps of: disposing at least one material at the interface of the adhesive seal between the flap and the body portion of the envelope, which material radiates thermal energy when combined with an activating agent. The envelope is then sealed by closing the flap onto the body portion of the envelope and combining the material with the activating agent at the sealing interface so as to change the thermal energy radiated therefrom. The seal is then inspected to determine whether the thermal energy radiated from the activated material has changed thereby confirming that a seal has been produced between the flap and body portion of the envelope. The system and article are directed to the various modules of a mailpiece fabrication system employed to produce the mailpiece including an inspection module for confirming that a seal has been formed.

Abstract: A method of reconstructing an original image from a printed and scanned image includes determining a plurality of transformation parameters including a rotation a of the scanning grid relative to the printing grid and a plurality of translation parameters which give a position of a node on the printing grid in a coordinate system of the scanning grid, generating a system of non-linear equations which represent the printed and scanned image as a function of: (i) the original image, (ii) a print/scan resolution ratio, and (iii) the transformation parameters, computing coefficients for the system using the resolution ratio, the transformation parameters and the given print model, generating a linear approximation of the system of non-linear equations, solving the linear approximation for an approximation of the original image, and creating a reconstructed original image from the approximation of the original image.

Abstract: An electronic voting system includes a vote security device (VSD), a user interface for presenting a ballot to a voter, and an audit trail printer operatively coupled to the VSD. The printer prints an audit trail ballot only in response to verifying encrypted and/or digitally signed messages received from the VSD that indicates the voter's ballot selections. The printer is structured to allow the voter to view but not access the audit trail ballot. The voter is able to accept or reject the audit trail ballot using the user interface. If the ballot is rejected, the VSD causes the printer to print a rejection indicator on the ballot, and if the voter accepts the ballot, the VSD causes the printer to print an acceptance indicator on the ballot. A digitally signed record of the voter's ballot selections is generated and stored.

Abstract: A printing system is provided that dynamically adjusts the method of printing an image based on the lightness or darkness of the medium upon which the image will be printed. The reflectivity of the medium upon which an image is to be printed is determined, and the way in which the image will be printed is adjusted based on the determined reflectivity of the medium. For lighter colored mediums, on which sufficient contrast will be provided, the image can be printed directly onto the medium. For darker colored mediums, on which the ink used to print the image will not provide enough contrast with respect to the medium to produce a reliably readable image, the method of printing the image is modified to ensure that sufficient contrast is always provided to produce a reliably readable image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing the sender of a mail piece to obtain an accurate recipient address for the mail piece when the mail piece is being prepared are provided. The mail processing systems of the sender and recipient businesses are networked such that communication can occur between them. When the sender is preparing a mail piece for delivery to a recipient, the sender can participate in an interactive session with the recipient's mail room, utilizing the networked mail processing systems, to obtain a correct recipient address for a mail piece based on a database of recipient addresses maintained by the recipient's mail processing system. Since the mail piece is provided with an accurate recipient address, upon receipt of the mail piece by the recipient's mail room the mail piece can be properly delivered without requiring significant work by the recipient's mailroom to determine the appropriate intended recipient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for utilizing a known histogram of a particular category of images to constrain a probabilistic print-scan model in order to provide a more accurate print-scan model are described. A probability function is defined that given a two-dimensional grayscale bitmap input image provides the probability that a particular pixel of the input image will have a particular gray level in the output image after print-scan processing. Additionally, an expected target histogram is input into the system and used to constrain or modify the probabilistic print-scan model for the input image to produce a deterministic print-scan model.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical codes, e.g., DataMatrix bar codes, of enhanced security and readability and a process for printing one. These codes are comprised of a perimeter finder pattern providing a target area and a pattern of symbology defining a data field in fixed position relative to the target area. Preferably, at least a portion of the optical code so defined is printed in a black fluorescent ink in order to enhance the signal to noise ratio in the environment of other visible, monochrome printing. The invention simplifies the detection of the machine-readable symbology for reading by optical code reader and provides enhanced security features. The image is a covert composite of a visible light readable and a fluorescent image. If fluorescent image is not detected or does not match a reference image, then it can be rejected as an unauthentic, e.g., simple copy image.

Abstract: A method for detecting possible fraud in a document includes receiving an electronic image of the document and extracting data from the image that includes a plurality of printed characters. Next, one or more properties of the characters are measured, the properties are compared to at least one corresponding normative property to determine whether anomalies are present, and a determination is made as to whether to provide a fraud alert based on the anomalies, if any. Preferably, the method includes reporting the one or more anomalies, if any, to a classifier engine, wherein the classifier engine determines whether to provide the alert. Also, methods for determining character spacing ands/or acuity are provided.

Abstract: A phase space encoded watermark is applied to an image to guard against counterfeiting and/or unauthorized copying. The watermark is formed of wavepackets. An authentication message is encoded in the wavepackets by variations in one or both of the intensities of the wavepackets and the phases of the wavepackets.

Abstract: A method and system, and computer readable medium for providing instruction for programming the system to carry out the method, for evaluating options based on ratings along various dimensions or characteristics. Type 1 databases are selected and accessed, each of the selected databases including at least one option rating, with respect to a dimension, where the option can differ among the selected databases; and selects and accesses type 2 databases each of the type 2 databases including at least one database rating for at least one of the type 1 databases. Weights are associated with the type 1 databases, the weights being calculated as a function of the database ratings. An overall rating is calculated for an option with respect to the dimension as a function of the weights and option ratings. The calculation is repeated for each remaining one of the options and a list of the options and associated overall ratings is generated.

Abstract: A system and method include means for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. A register means is provided and means for adjusting the register means to account for services when the cryptographic certificate is processed. In accordance with another aspect, a system and method include a register means for storing funds. Means are provided for processing a digital token providing proof of postage payment and means are also provided for processing a cryptographic certificate adapted to provide security functionality. Means debit funds stored in the register means when the digital token is processed and when the cryptographic certificate is processed. Processing the cryptographic certificate may involve many functions such as providing security services and/or certificate management functions (including generating and verifying cryptographic certificates) and/or key management functions and/or access to any needed private keys to perform security services.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating an item by using a security marking. The security marking is provided on the item with an OVD ink capable of absorbing light in a visible wavelength range to appear visibly black and producing a red fluorescent emission under ultraviolet excitation. Under visible light illumination and ultraviolet excitation, a visible image and a fluorescent image are obtained from the security marking using image scanners. The images are compared to find a substantial match with each other. The security marking can be a postage indicium, a barcode, a symbol, a message or an image. The item to be authenticated can be a mailpiece, a banknote, a tag, a ticket, a document, an identification card, or the like.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method for creating a self-authenticating document is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a base substrate forming the document; printing an authentication seal on the document, the authentication seal comprising a printed portion comprising an ink creating a bleed area on the document where the ink and the substrate interact; and obtaining unique bleed properties of the bleed area. The bleed properties are obtained by scanning the bleed area upon termination of bleeding or drying to provide a description of the ink and substrate interaction to generate an identifier code representing the unique bleed properties. The method further comprises generating a signature of the identifier code, encoding the identifier code in an information carrier, and associating the information carrier with the document or storing the signed identifier code in a remote verification seal code that is not printed on the document.